The 20 Best Beaches in America

Best for Birders

11 of 20

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South Padre Island, Texas

The wide sandy beach that launched a million spring break keggers sits just a few hundred yards from the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, an important habitat for many Gulf Coast bird species. By all means, avoid the college kids, but come here during the offseason if you want to see some beautiful chicks. When you're ready to put down the binoculars, hire a deep-sea charter to chase marlin and tarpon – and be back in time for sunset and live music at shoes-optional watering holes such as Boomerang Billy's and the WannaWanna.